Monaco royal wedding: 'Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you'

There have been lurid stories suggesting their marriage is 'an arrangement'.

But no one seeing Prince Albert praising his new wife Charlene as a "wonderful woman" could doubt the genuine love and adoration between them.

Speaking at a lavish gala for 450 VIPs and friends, the groom, who has waited so long to marry, often looked emotional. And rather touchingly for one used to public speaking, at times he seemed almost nervous.

At one point, the prince kissed Charlene on the hand, telling her : "(Marrying you) was the best decision I ever took".

His touching speech elicited: "Aaahs" from guests including his new mother-in-law seated besides him, and her husband Michael, who describes Albert as a "humble, down-to-earth guy".